Record card system



C. E. SHELBS ETAL REGORD CARD SYSTEM Filed sep'n. 15, 1940 '7 Sheets-sheet 1 du ATTORNEY.

Eea. i5, i942. c. E. sHnLDs ET-L RECORD CARD SYSTEM 7 Sheets-Sheeff 2 Filled Sept. 13, 1940 ATTORNEY www ec. 15, 1942. C., Ef SHIELDS ET AL RECORD CARD SYSTEM 7 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed sept. is, `194e INVENTOR Cmddnaum and S Mnwlulu ATTORNEY 'Delc- 5, w42 c. E. sHnELDs ET AL ,293@4985@ I RECORD CARD SYSTEM '7 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Sept. l5, 1940 INVENTOR ATTORNEY Dec. 15, 1942. l c. Eqsl-llr-:LDS ETAL 2,304,854

' RECORD CARD SYSTEM I I Filed Sept. 15, 1940 7 Sheets-Sheeil ATTORNEY Dec. 15, 1942. c. r-:. sHlELDs ET A1. 2,304,354

RECORD CARD SYSTEM Filed sept. 15,v 1940 Y sheets-sheet e INVENTQR ATTORNEY Dec. 15,-- 1942. c. alsHlELDs ET AL '2,304,854

* RECORD CARD SYSTEM l Filed Sept. 15, 1940 7-Sheets -Sheet '7 gna INVENTOR ATTORNEY Patel-ed D. 1s', 1942 Fruit:y

RECQRD CARD SYS'IfEliI ClcomE. Shields, New York, and Herbert S. Gardner, Scarsdale, N. Y., and John F.A Milligan,

Ridgefield Park, N'. J., assignors, by direct and mesne assignments, to Rapidata Corporation, New York, N. Y., a corporation of Delaware v vAppnmimbn september 13,1940, serial No..35s,61c

113 claims. l(ol. 164-112) This invention relates to record card systems and more particularly to record card systems in;

which the individual cards are provided with a pluralityof columns of index point positions, in which pertinent information data are recorded by punching holes in the individualcolumns soas to make it possible to analyze the recorded data by segregating the' cards having the desired information from the other cards.

Among the objects of the invention is a card system of the foregoing type utilizing an improved form of card arrangement which makes it possible to segregate the cardscontaining the desired information without resort to lspecial expensive segregating or tabulating machines; a novel card punching arrangement for automatically punching the pertinent information on such cards; and an improved arrangement for correlating such cards with the punching arrangement vto assure that the card punching iis carried on in an efficient and foolproof manner.

The foregoing and other objects of the invenn tion and the various features thereof will be best understood from the following description of exemplications thereof, referencebeing had to the accompanying drawings wherein Fig. 1 shows the face of one form of a record card blank for a card recording system of the invention;

Fig. 2 is a. viewsimilar to Fig. 1 illustrating .the card blank of Fig. 1 with the information recorded thereon; y

Fig. 3 isa View similar to Fig. 1A illustrating an array of disarranged superposed record cards which have to be sorted; y

' fFigs.. 4A-and 4B are parts of a diagrammatic view illustrating the cooperative relationship of one formof a record punching mechanism and the associated electric circuit exemplifying the iny Fig. 11 is a new along-'line 1|;l'1 of 111g. 5;.

, Fig. 12 is a view along line |2-I2 of Fig. 5: and

blank.

The card system of the invention utilizes card blanks 20one particular form of which is shown by punching it so as to leave in the column only a single bridge, indicated, forl instance, by digits 0 to l2, corresponding to the different items of information that are to bey recorded in a given column in accordance with a predetermined code.

A inthe way shown in Fig'. 2 in which each index .position column has left only onebridge made at corded, by a typewriter, for instance. In the card. recording and punchingsystem of the invention, i the card blanks on which the pertinent data are to be recorded, in the given column, so that forrecording the desired information in a given index -position'columm it is merely necessary to-remove by punching all bridges except the bridge correspending to the information, in the way shown,` for instance,in Fig. 2, having recordedthereon a cutoff corner 2 I, for instance, in the upper right- Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view along line 6 6" of Fig. 5;

Fig. '7 is a cross-sectional view along line 1,-1 of Fig. 5; I

Fig. 8 is an elevational view of the punch ca'rrierofFigsto'l; A,

Fig. 9 is an elevational view Fig. 5 .illustrating the punch driving coupling clutch and the associated operating elements of the machine;

Fig.. 10 is a .view similar to Fig. 9 of the carrier along line 9- 9 oi advancing coupling clutch and the associated op' erating elements of the machine;

hand corner, to fix the position ofthe card inwhich it has its right side up, and facing out. In

addition, it has in the corner diagonally opposite l. to the cutoff corner 2i an elongated lifting slot 22 which, in combination with two lifting holes 23, 24 in the two other diagonally opposite co'rners of the card, make it easy to sort adisar-i ranged stack of such cards to bring them all to -the right-sideup, facing-out position, -by using a needle on one vertical side of the card stack "'only. The elongated lifting slot 22 -fextends inwardly a distance slightly larger than the dis- Fig. 1Al shows another form of recordv card up stack of .cards to their properly aligned condiving operation.

In order-to segregate from a pilev o f' such recorded cards, of the general -form shown in tion. Thus, if, as shown in Fig. 3, a disarranged stack or-pile of` cards has, in addition to a group of cards 2U with the cutoff 2| on the right upper corner, three other groups of cards 20-X 20-Y 2li-Z with the cuto's in the other three 'cor- A ners, the 'cards may be readily arranged in their proper order by proceeding as follows: Insert a sorting needle in the hole exposed above the cutoflv right vupper corner, and lift the cards onthe needle, leaving the orderly arranged group of cards 20 having the cutoffcorner in the right up- `per end. The needle is then inserted in the right Y lower hole of the pile of lifted cards and' the ca rds picked up by the needle are withdrawn to lthei right, leaving in order another group of, al1 cards l2|l--X. V

The needle, which still engages the right lower hole of the withdrawnv cards, is then lifted along the corner slot 22of the cards 2li-Z of the card pile, thereby raising the right upper cornerof the cards 2li-Y, thus separating them from the remaining cards 20-'Z, whereupon all four groups side-up, facing-out position. An4 additional hole 25 is .also provided near the cutoff corner 2|.

The cutoff corner and-thev lifting holes 23 to 25 x in one of their lower lifting holes 22,24 and withsegregatefrom a stack of record cards all cards having a specific type of information recorded in different bridges or rungs of an index column. v Thus, for instance, if it is ldesired to segregate all cards having information.recorded in the rst ve divisions of a single digit .code repre-- sented by 'the five'bridges to 4 of.; column C, it Y is merely necessary to insert the segregating i needle into the 'pile of cardsthrough the open-k ing underbridge space 4 of column C of thecard i stack, 'as indicated on the face of the front card, 4and lift the needle, which automatically engages and lifts all cardshaving bridges at-4 or higher, whereupon' thecards which'remain' at the lower: level are withdrawn by inserting lanother needle drawing them to theright or theleft. 1

of cards may be placed'in their proper, rightare located'in the same position in' each card.

The outer edge of the lifting holes 22 to 25 are spaced from'the adjacent edge of the card by a distance of the order of the distance between.

the centers of the two index bridges of thecard so that when a card is lifted by one step, corresponding to'` one bridge, the lifting hole jofA the desired cardprojects above the level of the -edges of the other v cards in the stack so as to permit In order to-properly record the information in each index column of a card blank, of the type shown in'Fig. 1, by punching therein slots which leave only one bridge in an index column'position, there is provided a. key actuated punching mech- -anismwhich automatically aligns thindividual'- index rows of the card with the s 'amp punches of a punch carrier, and automatic lly punches --in the card the. desired information.

-One form of such card punching mechanism is illustrated diagrammatically -in Figs. 4A vand 4B and' structurally in, Figs. 5 to' 12. The entire `mechanism is assembled and heldl in its operative' relationship on a bed frarne30 which in the' formishown has a generally |.l-sliapedl wallv'structure and`ismadeyof cast-iron, for'in'stance. In the flangedupper portion of its rear. wall is formed a guide channel 3I in which ijsl slidably guided an elongated card carrier'32 made inthe form insertion of a needle into the projecting lifting hole and removal of the desired cards from vthe other cards of the stack.

By removing from each index position column all bridges 'except the bridge corresponding tol A the given information recorded therein, `it -is-possible to segregate from a pile of .cards all vcards having the desired information by a simple Vlift'- Fig. 2, all cards of a given code, for instance, with the code B-I, it ismer'ely necessary to insert aneedle or rod through the opening 4under the bridge space M- of the upper card so as to pass through all cards ofthe pile, and lift the needle,

which lautomatically engages all cards having bridges B-4 and lifts them atleast by one bridge spacing above all other cards of the pile, whereupon the lifted cards, which are thus positively segregated from the other cards, may be with` drawn fromthecard pile vby merely inserting a ofthe so-segregated cards, and removing .them for performing the desired analysis. f-

The segregation operation is instantaneously v and automatically checked by .a glance on the pile of segregated cards,because in all cards the elongated holes above and below the desired bridge B-4, for instance. arealigned. and must present an unobstructedlight passage. A record system of the type described above makes thus possible positive and accurate segregation of the desired cards from the unwanted cards with .-which they are intermlnl'ed-,vr without requiring intermediate segreg tion., steps.. and without the possibility of inclu ng -.unwanted cards among the cards with the desired information.

Such record 'card system-makes italso easy .12d

needle in one of the u pperliftingholes 23, 25

,of a bar having a flat exposed surface and-'two .l upwardly projecting -short register 'pins 33 von which the upper holes 23, .2 5 of a 'card blank 20,

such as shown in Fig. 1, are placed, so that by.'

,movingthecardcarr'ier 32 along its guidechannel 3|, the cardr 20 is advanced along. the upper surface of the bed frame 30 which is coveredv by table plates 34 which are aligned with the exposed surface ofthe card carrier 32and `suitably secured thereto, as' by screws..

slots 36 andthe underlying rear porject beyond the underlying edge of the bed frame wall. One of) the aligning slots 36 is engaged by' thecurved end surface of -a register lever 31 pivotallyrmounted on a shaft 38 held on a suitable bracket -39 secured to the rear wall of lthe y bed 3l)` and biased by a spring 3 9,such as a com'-v pression spring, so as to hold the card carrier 32 in an aligned position and resist its displacement from an -aligned position.

The aligning slots 36 and lever 31 with its biasing spring 39 areso arranged and designed `that `when the card carrier 32'is advanced byane'xternal force along its guide channel 3|, the

aligning lever 31 snaps into and engages the next. Valigning slot 36 as soon as its edge reaches the aligning lever 31, thereby assuring that the card n carrier 32 isautomatically retained in successive 'predeterminedly aligned positions, as it is advanced along its guide channel 3|. A retainer sheet 4|, of spring metalfo`r instance, having its rearedge secured, as by ScreWstotherear'edge l -'Io this end, the rear .v n A l 2,304,854 of the bed framerhas a liplike front edge 42 overlying the border'of the card so as to keep the card 20 registered with the pins 33 of the cardcarrier32 while permitting easy insertion and removal ofthe card from thecard carrier 32.

In theform shown, the retainer sheet 4Iiextends longitudinally along a portion of the guide channel and terminates at its left end in a right angularly bent spring finger proiection 43 ex tending transversely above the underlying card and'holding it clown on the underlying table surface. In addition, an elongated spring finger `44 having its left end secured, as by a screw, to

a lateral bracket projection 45 suitably aflixed to the rear wall of the bed frame 30. extends longitudinally over the other portion of the underlying from the inward edge of the.v aligning slots of the cards lies under the punch bars 5| adjoining the aligning bars 64.

Means are also provided for raising a predetermineclselected4 punch bar to a higher level than the other punch 4barsthat are aligned with it:

' in the punch carrier channel- 63 so that on performing a punching operation on an underlying card, the bridge .underlying the raised punchbar'is left intact and not cut out.

vBy combining record cards in which the coded i data are recorded in the different positions of bed table surfaceso as to retain the card in its aligned position on theA card carrier 33 while it is advancedbelow thefinger 44. I

The punchingl mechanism for slotting the aligned index rows of the record cards is mounted in the central portion of the bed frame 30. -The desired slotsv in each index row of the card are punched by a set of rectangular punch barsv5| aligned in a -row and suitably mounted in a punch carrier 50 for cooperation with an underlying die plate 52 which is aligned with the table surface and has a die slot 53 aligned below the row of punch bars 5|. The die plate 52 is suitably mounted, as by screws, on a transverse channel member 54 of the bed frame 30 having a slot 55 through which paper waste drops downinto atray A56v s lidably positionedbetween the side vwalls of the frame 30.

The punch carrier 50. has ailat guide surface borderedby two shoulders 6| and a facing wall member 62 having its ends suitably affixed, as by screws, to the shoulders 6|, so as to forml a transversely extending Vfla't guide. channel 63 Within which the punch bars 5| areheld aligned in a row above the underlying die slot 53;. There each indexv row formed of bridges separated by holes by leaving therein onlyl one bridge, witha punching mechanism utilizing-abutting punches" held aligned in a row above the individual bridges of the cards, and registering therein the desired data by longitudinally displacing a selected punch bar relatively to the other punch bars, so that in the punching operation only the bridges underlying the other punches have to be removed,

a very simple punch mechanism is able to make very accurate records yin a'very compact-index position column occupying avery little card area.

Various arrangements may be used for setting lthe punches by selectively raising a predeterminedv punch bar depending-on the information which' is to be recorded in ,a given index column.

. In the form of arrangement shown in Figs. ll to 8, each punch bar 5I is provided with a transverse c am follower cutout 1| along one of its edge portions arranged to engage a cam bar 12, ex

are as many punch. bars 5| as there are bridges in each index column of the card, sothat when all punch bars are used to perform a punching operation, af-slit is formed through the entire height of an index column.

The punch carrier also bars. 5|. The aligningbars 64 are fixed in their positions in the punch carrier and their outward ends 64 project slightly b eycndthe lowermost position o f the punch bars 5| and serve to engage the upper and lower aligning slots ,26

formed in the cardblank 20 so as to assure that.

each time a punching operation is performed on a record card 20. the indx row of the c ard ,which is to be punched is properly aligned-with the row of punch bars 5|.

As seen from Figs. 4 to 8, the lower ends of the aligning bars are rounded so the aligning slots 26 of a record card 20. which was, for instance, slightly misaligned during the preceding advancing step, they automatically restore the cardvto a position of alignment with the rod of punch bars 5| and thus assure 4proper alignment of the index row with the punch bars during the punching operation. In addition, the

Ihas mounted -in the ends of its punch bar channel 63 two aligning bars 64 at the opposite ends of the row of punch-A that on entering tending transverse to the 'planecf the punch bars and longitudinally guided by a row of slots 13 formedl in the facing wall member 6 2 of the punch guide channel 64, and a similar ro'w of slots 14 formed in a Vbar 15 secured lat itsv ends. as by screws, to the opposite surface of ithe punch carrier plate 5.0.

Each cam bar 12-fhas cam surface portions u 16, 11 shaped so that when the cam bar 12 is pushed inwardly from the full line positionl shown in Fig. '7 to the dotted line position 12', the raised portion of the upper cam surface 16 lifts the punch bar 5| to a level sufficiently higher than the level of the other punch bars 5| so that when a card punch operation is performed, the bridge underlying the raisedl punch bar 5| is left intact inthe card and only all other bridges.v

inlthe underlying index vrow are punched out.

lWhen ther cam bar 12 is returned-from its bar 12 transmitting the punching forces to theI punch bars engaged thereby.

lower outer ends of the aligning Abars 64 are.

slightly tapered and have a slightly shorter crosssectional area than the aligning slot of the-,card

tov facilitate the aligning operation. It should be notedthat the aligning bars 64 do not extend to the inward edge of the' aligning slots 26' of the record card 20 because'the bridge extending Any of the known types of `key actuated me'- chanically, electrically `or electromechanically op-` erated arrangements used in similar appliancesy may be utilized for vselectively controlling a c ard punching mechanism of the type described above so that upon actuation of a selected key, one selected punch bar 5| is raised to a higher level than the other punch bars alignedl with it above the underlying index position column of the record card for performing ,thereon the desired punching operation. Any desired number of sim, ilarly arranged and-operated rows of punch bars its lower cam surface 11 acts on the loweredge of card is advanced before performing thereon the desired punching operation.

The punch carrier 50 is suitably guided inits up and down motion within a guide channel 8| of a guide structure 82, extending-in the form of a cantilever beam from a. mounting post 80 suitably secured, as by screws,l to a block 83 extending from the rear wall of the bed frame The punch carrier o is holdin its position ,within the guide-channel 8| by twoflange members 84 suitably secured, as by screws, to should'er' portions of the guide structure extending vertically along theborders of the punch carrier, the lower ends of the flange member 84 having secured thereto, as by screws, two vcross bars 85, extending above the die slot 53 of the A y die plate .52 and forming a guide passage f or the lower ends of the aligned punch bars 5|, directly above the underlying card and the die slot 53.

One form of a key actuated electromechanical position shown in Figs. 4A and 9 by a biasing spring |08 extending fromV a control lever I|l9` that is affixed, as by a pin, to a control shaft IIO which is pivotally mounted on a bearing in the beam .post 80 and another bearing bracket suitably supported on the left the bed frame 30.-

The control arm I 09 is biased by a spring rear edge portion of A extending from a higher portion of the post80 the coupling lever |05 in its inward uncoupling control arrangement for such punching mechanism is shown in Figs. 4 to 11 of the drawings. Motive power'for automatically performing the punching operation is supplied by an electric motor 85 which, together with a suitable reduction gear mechanism including 'a worm -gear drive 88, is suitably held, as by screws, on 'a suitable mounting surface of the supporting post 80 extending from the frame-bed' 30. The

motor-driveniworm gear drive 86 rotates a drive shaft 81 suitably journaled in bearings formed in the body of thepost 80 and a bearing bracket 88 (Figs.I 6 and 11) suitably held'as by screws to, the rear surface of the bed frame 30. The

position in which it holds the coupling pawl I 0| out of engagement-with the coupling ratchet 9| and maintain-s the driving shaft 81 normally unooupledrfrom the punch-carrier driving-oon'- pling drum 93.

The control arm |09 of the punch carrier coui pling 90 carries on a pivot stud I I4a cam arm |I5 having a projecting .cam surface IIB ar-VA ranged to engage a. follower pin ||1 extending from the vcoupling lever |05, the cam arm III being held. biased by'a spring |I8 against a stop pin II9Xso as to keep its cam surface projection II6 out of engagement with the follower pin- |I1 of the coupling lever |05 as I ong as the control lever |09 is in its normal neutral position shown in Figs. 4A and 9. ,The several elements of the coupling 90 and the associated control arm I 09- are so arranged and proportioned that when the control arm |49 is tilted against the tension of its return spring ||2,the camsurface portion H5 of-the cam A lever I| 5 engagesthe camL follower pin ||1 of'. the coupling lever |05 and tilts .it to the outward position until it releases the coupling pawl hook |04 and causes the coupling pawl |0| to instantaneously Vengage the coupling ratchet9| and rotary motion of the-shaft 81 is utilized to selectively impart the up and down motion to the punch carrier 50 by a suitable selectively operated coupling mechanism 90.

In the form shown in Figs. A4: to 6 and 9, the

- coupling mechanism 90 forselectively operating the punch carrier'50 is formed of a ratchet coupling comprising a ratchet wheel 9| ailixed as by a pin to the driving shaft 81 and a coupling drum 93 formed at one end of an eccenter member 94 revoluably mounted on the driving shaft 81, and driving through an eccenter rod 95 a lever 96 pivoted onastud 91 held by the supporting post 80 projecting from the bed frame 30 and having its other` end pivotallyv connected establish a driving connection between the driving shaft81 and the punch carrier Aactuating eccenter.94, for performing a. punching operation While the driving shaft 81 makes one'rotation.

The coupling vdrum 93 carries on the wall |2-I facing the control arm |09 4a cam followerpin |22 sov arranged that as soon as the' coupling drum S3 starts'to rotate, the pin |22 engages the to an ear'98 of the punch carrier 55 for imparting thereto one down and up punching motioncycle during one revolution of the eccenter 94.

Selective'coupling of the drive shaft 81 and the coupling druml 93 which drives the` punch carrier 50 is established by a coupling pawl |0| which is pivotally mounted on' a stud |02 ex-` tending from the inner wall of vthecoupling drum 93 and is pressed by a biasing spring |03I into coupling engagement with a tooth of the ratchet wheel 9|'v and rotated thereby if the other hook-shaped end I04'of the coupling pawl |0I is released from its engagement,through a windowy 93 in the coupling drum 93, with a cam projection |05' of a coupling lever |05 suitably pivoted on the shaft'38 mounted on the bracket 39 secured tothe rear wall of the bed frame 30,

the lever. los being 'biased toV the unooupringv inner surface II5' of the control lever cam arm H5 and tilts; it around its pivot H4 until its oui;- wardly tilted cam surface projection IIE moves past the cam follower pin |I1 of the coupling lever |05, whereluion its biasing spring |08 tilts the coupling' lever` |05 inwardly to the position in which its hooked portion' |05. engages and rides .on the periphery of the rotating coupling drum 93, thereby assuring that at the .end of one rotation, the hook portion |05 of the cou- |04 of the coupling pawl IOI and forces it back to the uncoupling position shown in Figs. 4A and 9, thereby automatically breaking the driv ing connectionfrom the shaft 81 to the punch carrier 50 at'the end coupling drum, 93.

In other words, the coupling mechanism. between the driving shaft 81 and the punch carrier 50' with its control arrangement are so de signed and proportioned that when the control arm |09 is actuated vto establish the coupling connection between the driving shaft 81 and the punch driving mechanism, the motion imparted to the coupling mechanism automatically vsets into operation means for breaking the coupling `of one revolution of the Y' therefrom and engaging a ca ,connection at the end of a single punching punch carrierxcoupling 90 shortly before theend cycle.

4Means are also provided to assure that at the endof a punching cycle the card carrier is auto` matically 'advanced to its next position.

,I In the form of the invention shown in Figs. 4A, 4B,` 5, 9 and 11, there is mounted, to this -e'nd,.on the driving 'shaft 81v a coupling unit |30,

similar to the ratchet coupling 90 of the punch carrier drive, except that the periphery of -its' coupling drum i`s provided with va single helical tooth |3| arranged -to engage a tooth |32 of a rack |33 secured to the adjacent edgeof the card carrier y32, so that one rotation of the coupling mechanism |30 advances the card carrier 32 to its next alignment position.- The teeth'l32 of the card advancing rack |33 have the same pitch as the teeth between the alignment slots 36 of the card carrier. The startingend |34 and the finishing end |35 of the helical tooth |3| are separated by a gap which-normally lies opposite'the tooth |32 of the carrier rack |33 making it possible for the card carrier32 to lbe moved longitudinally in ,its guide channel 3| without interference with the 'helical-Q driving vtooth |3| of the coupling unit |30. The edge of the starting end.|34 of the. card advancing helical tooth |3| is rounded so as to facilitate 'its entrance between, and automatic alignment with, the teeth of the advancing rack |33, -and its nishing end |35 is beveled so as to release its engagement With the. coupling rack |22 at the end of its revolution in va proper position, in which the Yaction of the laligninglever 31 engages one of its aligning slots 36 and brings it into a position of alignment relatively tothe punch bars 5|.

The coupling lever |05 ofthe carrier' advancing coupling |30 which has all the elements of the punch carrier coupling 90, is normally maintained in its uncoupling position shown in Figs.

4A, 4B, 9 and 10 by a followerpin |35 projecting slot |36 of a control arm |31 pivotally mounted on the control shaft and biased to the position shown by a spring H2 extending from a cross bar |38 held above it by the wall of the punch carrier guide structure 02 and an extension |39 of the bearing bracket of the drive shaft 81. An additional biasing spring |4| extends fro the control varm |31 to the coupling lever |05 holding its follower pin |35 in engagement with vthe cam slot |36 when the control arm |31v is tilted. The several elements associated with the carrier advancing coupling `|3|) are so arranged' of yone revolution cycle, after completion of the punching operation, so as to tilt the control arm from its engagement with the follower pin |22 prevented from being operated if th of the lpuncn carrier'coupling 90, at the end of its revolution, the coupling lever |05 of the carrier advancing coupling is likewise released, and'its nookl |05 rides now on the -periphery of its rotating coupling drum 93 until at the end of one revolution, the hook |05 again engages the hooked end |4| of the-coupling pawl` |0| and:`- automaticallyuncouples.'the carrier advancing f coupling |30 from the driving shaft 81, thereby terminating the card advancing cycle.

for automati- 1 There are also providedmeans cally assuring that the punching mechanism is card carrier 32 is not properly aligned -relatively to the punch carrier, with an index column of lthe record card 20 properly aligned under the ro of punching bars 5|.

As shown diagrammatically in Figs. v4A and 4B, such vautomatic protection is secured bya special control arrangement for the motor 85 v which isA used to operate the punching mechanism and advance the carrier. The motor 85 which is supplied from a conventional domestic A. C. or D. C. 110 volt circuit, indicated by a plug |45, is energized through a circuit which is arranged to be completed either Aby the closure of a nor- .mally open punch actuatingswitch |46 and. a.

` serially connected lockout switch |41, for performing a punching operation, or. ly .the closure of either one of the switches |40, |49, for perthe follower pin |35 the coupling lever |05 to the' pling |30, so as to advance by arotation of its helical tooth |3| the""eard carrier 32 one step to the next index positioncolumn.

In the form'of the invention shown in Figs. 4A,

4B, 5, 9, 10 and' 11,. the operation ofthe punch driving coupling 90 is utilizedto start at the `end of the punching cycle a `card advancing cycle.'

In the arrangement shown, automatic actua,i

tion of the carrier advancing coupling |30, irn-- `mediately after completion of ai punching pperationis effected by providing'the control armv |31 of the carrier advancingfcoupling |30y with a cam projection |43 having an inwardly -vfacing 'campsurface which is arranged and shaped to be forming a card advancing orrcardback spacing operation, respectively.

Asshown in Figs. 4B` and 10,l the lockout switch |41 is arranged toxbe operated by an arm of the aligning lever 3 1 which, as explained above, -is biased to retain engagement'with an aligning slot 36 of the card carrierjbar 32 and hold it in a predetermined aligned position rela# tively to the punch carrier. As long as the aligningV slot 369i. the 'lcardvcarrier 32 retains its engagement with the pin of the aligning lever 31, the lockout switch |41 remains close'd and v prepares a circuit through which the driving motor fmay be energized to drive the punching mechanism when. thepunch actuating switch |46 is closed. n if y However, if in ad ancing the card carrier` bar 32 from one aligned sition to thvnext, it is left in an intermediate misaligned position in which the pinnof the register lever 31 is kept out of engagement with an aligning. slot', the lever 31 opens thelockout switch |41 and thereby prevents energization of the driving motor 85 as long as the card carrier 32- remains in a misaligned position. Y

The above described arrangement of the'aligning lever 31 for aligning the punch carrier in, its successive steps as it is being advanced, in combination with a lockout switchwhich is actuated by the aligning levertoopen the motor energizing circuit'. and prevent a punching operation engaged by the cam follower pin |22 ofthe 75 while the aligningjlever is out of engagement withan aligning slot of the card carrier as it is advanced from one align/ed position to the next automatically serves thus as means for preventing a punching operation while the carrier is being advanced to the next punching step.

surface provided with a depression |56 engaging` a cam follower projection |51 of an arm extending from the aligning lever |31 so that when the Acard advancing coupling is in itsnormal uncoupled position shown, the lockout switch |41 remains closed, and that as soon as the carrier advancing coupling is started to`rotate, toadvance the-.card carrier 32, the raised peripheral acuesta rack is returned by its biasing spring |52' toits normal downward position and the further motion of the tooth |3| of the carrier advancing coupling |30 movesthe card carrier' 32 forward to its next alignment position.

The card carrier 32 may also'be advanced from one position to another position without operating the'punching mechanism by simple direct:A

actuation of the control arm |31 of the card advancing coupling |30.

-vThe card-carrier back-spacing switch |49 is also shown associated with a coupling |30-B,

surface of the cam disc |55 actuates the cam follower |51 to its downward positionso as to operate the lockout switch |41 and prevent energization of the motor through the punch .actuating l switch m until, 'ai-.the end of one revomtionof the card advancing coupling |30, the cam follower |51 isreleased to-the cam depression |56 of the cam |55 and the lockout switch |41 is again opened. y

The card advancing switch is associated with the card advancing coupling |30 and is ar- 'ranged to be automatically closed when the coupling connection -between the shaft 01 and the carrier advancing coupling tape |30 is established.

,In the form shown, the normallyppen carrier advancing switch |48 is so arranged that when the control arm |31 of the carrier advancing coupling |30 is tilted to actuate the associated coupling lever |05 to the coupling position and establish the coupling connection for advancing the Acard carrier tothe next step, the coupling lever |05 automatically actuates the card advancing L switch las to the closed posicion in which if. en-

ergizes themotor 85to drive'thel shaft 81 and perform the card advancing operation, the switch remaining closed while the cam projection |05' ing coupling |30 till at the end of one revolution, after the card carrier has been advanced to its next step, the coupling lever |05 is released to its similar in every respect to the carrier advancing coupling |30, except. that its helica 'tooth |3|-l3A has anoppositely directed pitch that during a revolving motion of the coupling |30-B, its helical tooth |3|B engages a tooth |32 'of the carrier advancing rack |33 and moves it one step back', that is, in a4 direction opposite to the direc- 'tion ofthe advancingjoperation. The coupling |30-B has all the elementsA of the cardadvancing coupling |30 and the follower cam |51, which operates the lockout switch,v is made wide enough .v

to cooperate with the cam disc of the backspacer coupling |30'B to open the lockout switch |41 during la back spacing'operation inthe saine way as during the card advancing operation.

Any of the known key actuated operating` arrangements o'f the electromechanical o r mechanical type, such as described, for instance, in U. S. p

Patents 1,969,383, 1,976,352 and 2,044,707, may be utilized for operating thepunch selectorv mecha-A nism and the control armsy |09, |31 in order .to

' ofthe coupling lever rides along the outer periph- 'ery of the coupling drum of the carrier advancinward uncoupling position and the switch v|48 again opens the motor circuit; f,

As shown in Figs. 4A, 4B, 5` and 10, the carrier I advancing rack 33 is not a rigid part of the card f carrier `bar 32, but is yieldably mounted thereon so as to prevent jamming of its teeth withthe carrier bar 32 is ina misaligned position.

In the form shown, the advancing rack |33 is hingedly mounted ontwo hinges |5| which are secured to the card carrier bar'32, a biasing spring |52 being provided to hold the rack |33,1Which` coupling connection to the carrier advancing coupling is actuated to'advance the carrier while the card carrier 32 isin a misaligned position, the rotary motion imparted to the. helical card advancing toothv lill `of the coupling |30 'will automatically engage the adjacent slot in the upwardly Y tilted carrier advancing rack 33,'when its periphery .reaches the next toothslot-whereupon the 'Hiv tooth |3| of the carrier advancing coupling drum if the latter-is set in operation While the card bring about a predetermined Vpunching operation and immediately thereafter a card carrier advancing operation by the operation of a key. In the form shown in Figs. 4 to 8, akeyla.ctuated mechanical operating arrangement is utilized for automatically controlling thepunch selecting and carrier advancing mechanism. It comprises a plurality of key1evers Ito, each provided with a key button having thereon a proper digit designation, corresponding to the digits of th-index columns of the card 20, forinstance. Each key lever |60 .is pivotally held on the control shaft H0' and is engaged by an underlying lug |6| of an adjacent operating arm4 |62 aixed, as by a pin, to the control shaft I0, so that a downward tilting motion imparted to the key lever |60k im- A parts asimilar motion to the adjacent lever. |62

and thereby actuates the .control shaft III to. impart a corresponding tiltingmotion tothe control arm |09 of the punch operating coupling 30. As a result, the operation 'of any one of the key buttons 0 to ,-12" will impart through the adjacent operating arm |62a corresponding tilting motion to the controllarm |05 vof the punch operating coupling 90 to set it in operation for performing a punching operation provided the motor is simultaneously energized by the operation of fan arm |63 which is likewise amxed to 1 the control shaft ||0, and -normally holds opei'l the punch actuating switch |46 permitting it to return to the closed position only if. it is tilted incident to the tilting motion imparted tothe control shaft I0 by a key lever |60.

To-an intermediate portion of each key lever |60 is pivotally connected one en d of a link |64, theother end of which`i5 pivotally connectedto one arm of a bell crank lever `H55 'pivotally mounted on a bar |66 aillxed to the rear side of the punch guide-structure 82, and having on its other arma pin |61 engaging a slot |68 in the punch cam. 5| associated with the given key lever, so that on depressing the key lever.' the bell crank blank 20, such as shownfin |66 shifts the desired punch 5| from its normal position to a higher level, in the way'explained hereinabove.

Two similarly mounted key levers |60 having D key buttons SP and BS, for instance, are similarly pivoted on the control shaft andY utilized to actuate the control arms |31, |31;B for operating the card carrier advancing and back spacing couplings |30, |39-B, respectively.

Asshown in Figs; 4A, 5 and 12, the front ends of the key levers |60 are guided in slots |1| of -a wall on the rear of which is mounted an l array of floating levers |12 aligned. between two borders |13, the levers being shaped so that their iloating ends bar the lower portions of the keyguide slots |1|, except the key guide slot, the key i the c ase of column A of the card shown in Fig. 2, v is depressed bringing about a punching operation of which is depressed, so as to assurethat only one key lever |60 can be depressed at a time, and that no other keylever can be depressed while"an other is in a depressed position.

Means .are-alsoprovided for automatically locking each key lever |60 when it is actuated to perform a control operation, and keep it locked until it is Aautomatically unlockedwhen it has performed all required functions which are started byl itsactuation. `Inthe form shown in Figs.

4A and 12, the locking arrangement is Aformed by .a comblike locking bar |16 slidably mounted on 'two spacer strips |11 back of the front wall |10 in which the key levers |60 are guided. The

locking bar |16 is coniined,ras by a pin and slot engagementl |18,'to a limited slidable movement in a direction transverse to the direction of the motion ofthe key levers, and is biased by a spring |19 to one end-position in which the hooked inwardly inner sides of its locking teeth |8| project below the individual key levers |60 extending through the slots of the front wall |10.

' A When a key lever |60 is actuated to a downward position, its engagement with the underlying tapered surface of a hooked locking tooth |8| 7c the card carrier 32, which has been previously pulled to the right so that both register pins- 33 of the card carrier 32 are tothe right of the card retaining finger 43. Thereupon, the card carrier 32, with the card Vheld registered on its pins 33, is moved to the left, either manually or by actuating the advancing key SP, until the first or anyv other desired index column of the card is'brought into alignment with the row o'f punchbars 5| of4 the punch carrier. infomation which is to be recorded in the aligned index column of the card, for instance, key-|2 in whichremoves from'the card colu 4 A all bridges except bridge I2, and automaticallyfadvances the card to bring the index column B into alignment with'the punch row.

Cards of any size, three or four times larger Athan the card 20 indicated in Fig. 5,` may be punched on the machine, because all the parts of the mechanism overlying the table plates 3l are held by supports 'extending fromthe rear wall of the bed frame spas to leave in front andonthe sides of the card carrier 32 a free narrow space through which a large sheet, projecting forwardly beyond the forward end ofthe machine,

may be moved crosswise along the table, with the front end extending beyond the front ends ofthe keys. This arrangement of the machinemakes it possible to make records on cards of any size having any desired number of parallel index position columns.

shifts the locking bar |16`laterally permitting theVv locking bar |16 being returned by its biasing spring so as to lock the dwnwardlyv'actuated key by the bottom surface of the hooked locking tooth |8I.

Provision is also made a key lever |60 from its locked position at the proper time, after it performed the required functions. I n the arrangement shown in Figs. 4A, 5, 11 and 12', this is accomplished by providing the ',.key lever to move to its downward position, the

to automatically release d card advancing coupling |30 with a cam plate |83 which is engaged by a cam follower end |84 of a lever |85 pivoted on the control shaft ||0 and pivotally connected to a slider bar |86 having a tapered end portion |81 engaginga slot |88 of the lock bar |16 so that when the lever |85 is tilted by the raised portion of the cam plate |83, the tapered end |81 of the slider bar |86 pushesthe locking bar |16 against the biasing action of its spring |19 .to the position invwhich it releases the lock key lever which is returned. by its biasing spring ||2 and extends from the cross bar |||3 to its normal upper position. f

A key lever |60 that is locked by th`locking bar |16 iin the depressed condition may `be manually released by actuating any unlocking button UL secured to a projection extending from the locking bar |16 4so as to push the locking bar against the forceof itsbiasing spring |19 to the unlocking position.- l The operationiof the machine when used for punching a' card will now be described.4 A card The'record cardsZ, such as shown in 1 and 2, may have the alignment slots 26 made therein either by making the upper and lower hole of the index column longer than the other bridgeformingholes shown in Fig. 1A, byproviding in each co1umn,in addition to the bridge# forming holes, separate alignment slots 26A.

The specific exempliflation of one form of the invention described above is -distinguished not only byvarious novel structural arrangements, but also by important novel operative principles and arrangements. A

By combining a recordcard having index 'co1- umns formed of bridges separated by interposed bridge-forming perforations with. a punching The key corresponding to the mechanism having a row of punches contiguously aligned opposite the bridges for removing by a punching operation all but one bridge corof accuracy in aligning the ,card with the punch mechanism, and -a clean-cut punching operation is assured even-with a relatively cheaply niadealigning mechansm that operates with rel i atively small 4- degree of accuracy and permits substantial variations ofthe degreeof alignment between the card and the punch mechanism. In the practical arrangement described above, when using recordcards in which the i perforations interposed between thel bridges of Fig.- l1, is placed on 16.

the index column are formed by circular holes s?, ofan inch in diameter, very satisfactory operation is obtained wit/h punch bars having a. Width in the direction transverse'to the column of the order of less than the diameter ofthe.

' hole;

A further reductionin the accuracy of the alignment' mechanism and its simplicatlon is made possible by combining the row of punches with' alignment4 bars which are arranged to engage alignment holes provided in the facing index column of the record card so as-to rectify a minor misalignment of the-index column andv restore the degree of alignment required to per- -form` a clean-cut punchingoperation.

In vthe punching mechanism ofthe invention,

f the punches-which performthe punching operation in response'to the actuation of actuating member s,- such as a key member, are slidably carried and held contiguously aligned as a punch rowon a punch carrier, so as to effect slidable l.

displacement of a selected punch relatively to the other punches from a normal operative position to a retracted non-operative position, punch-selector )means including a punch displacing ele- 'ment being provided for each punch, so as to opete upon actuation of a key member to produce a' relative displacement ofthe punch and restore the displaced punch vto its normal position after performing the punching operation.

'I'he punch mechanism is operated by a power source, and a normally operi coupling connection, `which operates' .upon the actuation of an-actuating member, to establish a couplingconnection "during a predetermined punch operating cycle, 'and bring about/the` relative motion between' the punch carrier and the diev member for punchin a predeterminedlyaligned position of the card the desired information corresponding to the actuated key member.

The card is held by a card support including -a card carrier arranged to be held in' one of a plurality of predetermined positions of alignment relatively to the punch mechanism. The

card carrier is combined with a card impelling mechanism having anormally open' coupling connection to the power source which is operative upon actuation of a key member to estab- -lish a coupling connection during a predeterminedcardimpelling cycle and produce a motion of the card carrier so as to bring the card to the next position of alignment.A

Thej'p'ower source which supplies the power l for performing the punching and card advancingv voperation has a'normallyineiective control cir- 'cuit and an element, such as a switch, operates upon Athe actuation of a key member to render the 'control circuit. effective during an operating cycle of -thecard impelling mechanism or the punch operating mechanism.

Thei card impelling mechnism'is interlocked with the punch operating mechanism soV as to prevent the punch operating mechanism from operating if the card carrier is in a position of misalignment. I

The punch operating and card impelling mechanisms are so arranged that uponactuation of a key member to record on an index `col umn of a card the desired information, 'the punch operating and 4card impelling mechanisms vflcati'ons thereof. Thus, the set of punch bars held contiguously aligned in slidable positions by the. punch carrier may be selectively moved between-the operative and non-operative positions i by other forms of setting or selecting mecha- \nisms, for instance, by' providing each punch bar with a' pin arranged to engage a cam slot Ain a flat cam bar extending in a direction parallel to the row of .punch bars, the several camf bars being held aligned in a plane parallel and contiguous to the planeof punch bars so that upon selective actuation of one of such cam bars,

the corresponding' punch bar is moved from one position to the other. Several suchrows of punch bars, each with a parallel row of such -cain bars,

may be mounted in a common punch carrier,

and arranged tobe selectively set by a key-operated -selectoi` mechanism for enabling simultaneous punching of the desired infomation in adjacent columns 'of a record card, such as shown in 1 and 2.

Insteadof using an electric motor and -a shaft rotated thereby for operating the punch mechalnism and card advancing mechanism, electromagnetic vmechanisms and escape mechanisms, such as shown in U. S. Patent 1,976, 352,may be used. :f

Instead Aof controlling the punch selector mechanism through a key-actuated mechanism.

The card advancing mechanism may be simiy larly electrically controlled through an electric relay arrangement operating in response to the` actuation of a key. Alternatively, the operation of a key may be'utilized to4 mechanicallyA control.

the operation of the card advancing mechanism and to electrically control the operation of the punch selector' mechanism and the punch operating mechanism.

The .novel'record card and its .various features described herein in connection with the exempliilcations of the present-invention, constitute thesubject matter of the application -of Cleon E. Shields, Serial No.451,244, filed July 16, 1942, as

aicontinuation-in-part and division of the pres- `ent application.

The principles of the invention explained hereinabove in connection with specific exerripliiica.-

i the same.

exemplication; thereof.

tions thereof will suggest to those skilled in the art many other applications and modifications of It is accordingly desired that the appended claims bei construed broadly, and that they shall not be limited to the specic details shown and described in JWe claim:

1. In a punching machine for punching holes in a record card, va predetermined number of operate in a predetermined-sequence so that after.

performing a punching operation the card is readyY to be subjected to the next punching operation in another 'aligned position of thecard.

The principles of the invention described above in connection with one specific exemplication of the invention will suggest various other modi- 7 5A actuating members, such as keys, a punch carrier, at least .one r row of elongated. punches correspending to the diierentI actuating members carried and held by-said punch carrier ina contiguously alignednormal operative position so as to permit displacement of a selected punch from its normal operative position to a displaced. position, 'a dievmemberhaving a die .slot for cooperconnection with ation with said punches, a card carrierfor holding a record card in a predeterminedv aligned position between said punch carrier and said die member,l punch selector means including a punch displacing element for each punch operative to produce a, vrelative displacement' ci a punch in response to the actuation of the correspondingactuating member, and punch operat-A ing means operative upon actuation of an actuating member to produce av relative motion between said' punch carrier and said die member and punch in a predeterminedly aligned position ot a card held by said card carrier opening portions facing the punches held in the normal operative position. v

2. -In a punching machine for punching holes `in a record card, av predetermined number oi! actuating members, such as keys, a punch carrier; atleast one row of elongated punches, corresponding to the/different actuating members carried and held by said punch carrier in a con tiguously 4aligned operative position so as to permit displacement .of a selected punch from its operative positiony to a displaced position; a-die member having a die slot for cooperation with said punches, a' cardcarrier for holding a record card in a predetermined aligned position between said punch carrier and said die member, punch selector means includinga punch displacing element operative in response to the actuation of. an actuating member to actuate a corresponding to the dii'lerent actuatingmembers 't movably held by: said punch .carrier in an aligned operative. position so as to permit displacement of a selected punch froniits` normal operative aligned position` to an inoperative Adisplaced position; 4punch selector means including-a movable displacingelement operative in a predeter-f mined manner in response tothe actuation of a selected actuating member to effect during a predetermined operating cycle a displacement of the correspondingpunch Irom'its normal aligned operative position to its displaced inoperative position and to restore the displaced punch -to its normal position; a card carrier for holding a card ina predetermined aligned position relatively to said punches; said' punch carrierbeing part of punch'operating means operative upon actuation to actuateduring a predetermined operating cycle said punch carrierand said card carrier to move relativelyto eachother for punching with the punches 'held in the operative position opening portions in a predter-I minedly aligned position of a cardheld .by said card carrier; and means operative in a' pre-` determined manner in response to the actuation vvof an actuating membeifor actuating said punch operating means to perform its operating cycle corresponding punch vto a displaced position,4 and in a predetermined sequence correlated to the operating cycle of said punch selector means so that the punch yselectorloperation is completed 1 before the card is punch d.-

4 corresponding to .the diierent'actuatingmemin a record card; 'a predetermined number oi actuating members, such as k eys; a punch'carrier having at least one row of elongated punches corresponding to the different actuating mein-- Ibers movably held-bysaid punch carrier in an aligned operative positionso as to permit dis-- placement oi' a selected punch from its operative aligned position to an inoperative displaced position; punch seiector means including a displacing element operative in response to the actuation ofJ a selected lactuating member to eiect during a predetermined operating cycle a displacement of the corresponding punch' from its aligned operative position to its displaced inoperative position; a card carrier for holding a card'in a predetermined aligned vposition relatively to said punches, punch operating meansoperative upon actuation to actuate during a lpredetermined operating cycle said punch carrier and said card carrier to move relatively toeach other for punching with the punches held in the operative position opening portions in apredetermine'clly allgn'ed'position of a card held by said card carrier; vand means operative in a predetermined manner in response to the'actuation of 5. In a punching mac in a record card; apredetermined number 'of'ace tuating members, such askeysa 'punch' carrier having at least one rcw'of elongated punches bers movably. held by said punch carrier, inv analigned operative position so a's to permitdise placement or a selected' punch from it operative aligned position to an inoperative dis lacedp sition; punch-selector means including amovable displacing element operative in a prede'- termined niannerl in' response to the actuation of a selected'actuating member to eiect during a predetermined operating cycle adisplacement of the corresponding punch fromv its normal aligned operative position to its displaced inoperative po sition: a card carrier for holding a card in a pre# determined aligned position lrelatively .to said f punches; said punch carrier being part of punch operating means operative upon actuation to actuate during a predetermined operating cycle said p'unch carrier and said card carrier to move relatively to each other from a normalposition to a punching' position for punching with the punches heldin the operative position opening portions in a predeterminedly aligned position of a card held by said card carrier; and means operative in a predetermined manner in response to the actuation of an actuating member "for ac'-v tuating said'punch operating means to perform its operating cycle in a predetermined sequence correlated to the operating cycle oi' said punch an actuating member for actuating said punch operating means to perform its operating cycle in a predetermined sequence correlated -t'o the operating cycle of said punch selector .means so that the punch selector operation is completed before the card is punched.

4. In a punching) machine lfor punchingfholes in av record card; a predetermined number of actuating members', suchas keys; a punch carrier having atleast `one rowv of elongated punches selector r'neans so that the punch selectoroper ation is completed before the card is punched: 4

said punch operating Vmeans'being so'designed and arranged as. to cause the elements actuated by it during vits voperating cyclev .to be restored to the normal position during a part of its operating cycle.- 6. In a punching machine for punchingholes in a record card;` a predetermined number of actuating members, such as keys; a punch carrier having at least one row oi elongated punches corresponding to the different actuating mem-' e forv punching holes a predeterminedoperating cycle a displacement of the corresponding punch from its normal aligned operative position to its displaced inoperative position; a card carrier for holding a card in a predetermined aligned position relatively to said punches; said punch carrier being part of punch operating means operative upon actuation to actuate during a predetermined operating cyasoesse correlated in a predetermined manner to the operating cycle of said punch selector means.`

8. In a Ipunching machine for-punching holes ina record card; a predetermined number of actuating members, such as keys; a punch carrier having at least one row of elongated punches corresponding to the difierent actuating members movably held by said punch 'carrier in' an aligned4 operative position so as to permit displacement o! a selected punch from its operative aligned position to an inoperative displaced position; punchv selectormeans including a movable displacing element operative in a prede- -termined manner in response to the actuation or cle Ysaid punch carrier and said card carrier tomove relatively to eachother from a normal position to a punching position for punching with the punches held in the operative position opening portions in a predeterminedly aligned position of a card heldby said card carrierr and means operative in a predetermined manner in responseto the actuation of an actuating member for actuatingsaid punch operating means to perform' its loperating cycle in a predetermined sequence correlated to the operating cycle of said punch selector means so that the punch selector operation is completed before the card is punched; said punch selector means and said punch operating means being so designed and arranged as to cause the elements actuated by them during their operating cycles to be restored to the normal position during a part oi' their operating cycle.

7. In a punching machine vfor punching holes a selected actuating member to eiectduring a predetermined operating cycle a displacement of e the corresponding punch from its aligned operative position toits displaced inoperative position; card `support means 4including a card carrier for holding a cardin one of4 a pluralityV of predetermined diilerent positions of augment vrelatively to said punches; said punch carrier in a record card: a predetermined number of actuating members, such as keys; a punch carrier having at leastV one row o! elongated punches i corresponding to the diii'erent actuatingv members movably held by said punch carrier in an aligned operative position sc as to permit displacement of a selectedl punch from its operative aligned pomtion to an inoperative displaced position; punch selector means including a movable dis- /placing element operative in a predetermined manner in response to the actuation of a selected actuating member to eiect during a predetermined operating cycle a displacement oi.' the vcorresponding punch from its aligned operative position to its displaced inoperative position; card support means including -a card carrier for holdbeing part of punch operating means operative upon actuation to actuate during a predetermined l v operating cycle said punch carrier and said card carrier to move relatively yto each' other for punching with the punches held in the operative position opening portions in a predetermined aligned position of a card held ,by said card carrier; said card carrier being part of card impeiling means operative upon actuation to produce` during a predetermined operating cycle a predetermined relative motion between said punch carrier' andsaid card carrier in a direction transverse to said -punchrow so asv-to bring them 4.from one position of alignment to another predetermined position of alignment; and means A operative in a-predetermine'd manner in response.l to the actuation oi an actuating member for ac- Vtuating said punch operating means and said card impelling means to perform their operating cycles in' a predetermined' sequence correlated to the operating cycle of said punch selector means so' that the punch selector and cardimpelling operations are completed beiorethe card 'is punched.

ing a card in one of a plurality oi predetermined different positions of alignment relativeLv to said punches; said'punch carrier being part of punch f operating means operative upon actuation to actuate during a predetermined operating cycle,

said punch carrier and said card carrier to move relatively to each other for'punching with the punches held in the-operative position opening portions in a predeterminedaligned position of a card -held by said card carrieosaid card carrier being part oicard impelling means operative upon actuation to produce during a predetermined operating cycle a predetermined relative motion between said punch carrier and said card carrier inl a direction transverse' to said punch row so as to bring them from oneposition o f alignment to another predetermined position of alignment; and means operative in a predetermined manner in response to the actuation of'an actuating memberior actuating said punch operating means and said card impelling means to perform their operating cycles in a predetermined sequence manner in response to the actuation of a selected 9. In a punching machine for punching ina record card; a predetermined number of actuating members., such as keys; a punch carrier having at least one row of elongated punches corresponding to the diiIerent actuating members movably held byLsaid punch carrier in an aligned operative, position so as to permit displacement of a selected punch from its normal operative alignedpositionto an inoperative displaced position;- punch selector means including la movable displacing element operative in a predetermined actuating member to edect during` a predetermined operating cycle a displacement of the corresponding punch irom its normal aligned operative position to its displaced inoperative position and to restore the displaced punch to its normal position; card support means including a card carrier for holding a card in one `of va plurality of predetermined different positions oi alignment relatively-to said punches; said punch carrier being part of punch operating means operative uponactuation to actuate during ai predeterminedV operating cycle said punch carrier and said card carrier to move relatively to each other for punching with the-punches held in the operative position opening portions in ag'predeterminedly alignedposition of a card held by said Y designedfand arranged as to cause the elements. actuated by them during their operating cycles part of their operating cycle.

corresponding punch .from its aligned operative said punch carrier being-part of punch operating ing means being associated with power means inf accenna impelling means operative upon actuation ,to

' produce during a predetermined operating cycle a predetermined relative lmotion between said l punch carrier and said card carrier in a direction to be restored to the normal position during ai 10. In a punching machine for punching holes 20 in a record card; a predetermined number of actuating members, such as keys; a punch carrier having at least -one row of elongated punches corresponding to the different actuatingmembers movably held by said punch carrier in an aligned 25, p operative position so as to 'permit'displacement of a Aselected punch from its operative aligned position to an )inoperative displaced position;

punch selector operating means including a-movable displacing element operative in a predetermined manner inresponse to the actuation of a selected actuating member ,to effect during a predetermined operating cycle a displacement of the 1 position to its 'displacedl inoperative position; a 35v card carrier for holding a card in a predetermined aligned position relatively to said punches;

nieans'operative upon actuation to actuate during a predetermined operating cycle said punch v40 carrier and said card carrier to move relatively to each other for punching with the punches heldl/ in the operative position opening portions in a predeterminedly' aligned position of a card held" by saidvcard carrier; at least one of said operat- 4 5 cluding a normally ineffective control circuit operative to'supply operating power to said op- .erating means whenl said control c ircuit'is rendered effective; and means for rendering eiective said control circuit operative in aA predetermined'manner in response to the actuation of an actuating member for actuating said punch operating means to perform its operating cycle in a predetermined sequence correlated to the oper- .ating cycle of said punch selector 'means so that the punch selector operation is completed before the card lis punched.

ll. In a punching machine for punching holes in a record card; a predetermined number of actuating members, such as keys; a punch carrier having at least-one row of elongated punches corresponding to thediflerent actuating members movably held by said punch carrier in an aligned operative position so as to permit displacement of a selected punch from its normal operative aligned position to an inoperative displaced position; 'punch selector operating means including a movable displacing element operative in a predetermined manner in response to the 70 actuation of a selected actuating member to el.- fef't during a predetermined operating cycle a displacement of the corresponding punch from its'normal aligned operative position to its 'displaced inoperative position; a card carrier for A 1 1 holding a cardin apredetermined aligned position relatively to said punches; said punch carrier being part of y punch operating means operative upon actuation to actuate during a predetermined operating cycle said punch carrier; and said lcard carrier to move relatively to each other from a. normal position to a punching position for punching with the'punches `held in the operative position/ opening' portions in apredeter- 'minedly aligned position of 'a cardheld by said card carrier at least one of said operating means being associated with power meansincluding a -v normally ineffective control circuitoperative to supply-operating power to said operating means whensa'id control circuit is'lrender'ed eilective;

and means"for rendering eilective said control circuit operativeA ina predetermined manner' in' e response to the actuation o! an actuating melnber for actuating said punch operating means to perform itsoperating cycle in a predetermined sequence correlated tothe operating cycle of said 1 punch selector'means so that the punch selector operation is completed before the card is punched;- said punch selector means and said punch operating means being so-designed and arranged as to cause the elements actuated lby them'during their operating cycles to be restored to lthe normal position during a part `of their operating cycle. l

- l12. In a punching bers movably vheld by'. said punch carrier in an aligned operative position so. as to permit ,dis-

placement of a selected punch from its opera` tive aligned positionv to an inoperative displaced position; punch selector operatingmeans including-'a movable displacing element operative in a predetennined manner in response to the actuation Qf a selected actuating member to eiect during a -predeterr'ninedl operating cycle' av displacement of the corresponding punch from its aligned operative position to its displaced inoperative position; card support means including a card carrier Vfor holding a card in one of a plurality of predetermined different positions of alignment relatively to said-punches; said lpunch carrierrbeing part of punch operating means operative upon actuation to actuate during apredetermined operating cycle said punch carrier and said card carrier to move relatively to each other for punching with the punches held in the operative position opening portions in a predeterminedly aligned position of a card held by said card carrier; said card carrier being -part of card .impellng means operative upon actuation to produce during a 'predetermined operating cycle a predetermined relative motionv between said punch carrier and said card carrier in a direction transverse to said punch row so as to bring them from one position of alignment to another predetermined position of alignment; at least one' of said operating means being asso- -ciated with power means including a normally ineffective control "circuit operative to supply Joperating power to said operating means when said control circuit is rendered effective; and means 'i forrendering eiective said control circuit operative in a predetermined manner in response to the actuation of an actuating member for actuating said punch operating means and said `card impelling means to perform their operating cycles. in a predetermined sequence machine for punching holes in a record card; a predetermined number of yactuating members,"such as keys; a punch carlrier having at least one row oi' elongated punches correspondingto the different actuating mem- `correlated in v a predetermined manner to the operating cvcle of said punch selector means. 13. In a punching machine for punching holes Vin a record card; a predetermined number of actuating members, such asV keys; a punch carrier having at .least onerow of elongated punches corresponding to the different actuating members movably held by said punch carrier in an aligned operative position so as to permit displacement .of la selected punch from its operative aligned positionV to an inoperative displaced position; pun'ch selector operating means including -a movable displacing element operative in a predetermined manner in response to the actuation of a selected actuating member to effect during a predetermined operatingcycle a displacement of the corresponding punch from itsI aligned operative position to its displaced inoperative position; 'card supportmeans including a card carrier for holding a .card in one of a plurality of predetermined different positions of alignment relatively to said punches; said punch carriersaid punch carrier and said card carrier to move l relatively to each other for punching with the punches held in the operative position opening portions in a predeterminedly aligned position of a card held by said card carrier; said card carrier being part of card impellin'g means operative upon actuation to produce durin'g a predetermined operating cycle a predetermined relative 4motion between said punchcarrier and said card A carrier in a direction transverse to said punch row so yas to bring them from one position of being part Aof punch operating means operative upon actuation to actuate during a predetermined operating. cycle said'punch carrier and said card carrier to move relatively to each other.

for punching with the punches held in, the operative vposition opening portions in a predeterminedly aligned position of a card held-by said card carrier; said card carrier being part of card impelling means operative upon actuation to produce during a predeetrmined operating cycle a predetermined relative vmotion between said punch carrier-.and said card carrier in a direction transverse to said punch row so as to bring them from one position of alignment to another predetermined position of alignment; lat least onel of said operating means being associated Y with power means including a normally ineiectivev control circuit'operative to supply operat- .ing power to said operating means when saidcontrol circuit is rendered eiective; and meansA for operating cycle of said punch selector means so that the punch selector and card impelling operations are completed before the cardis punched. 14.,In a punching machine for punching holes correlated in a predetermined manner to the alignment to another predetermined position of alignment; at least one o f said operatingmeans being associated with power means including a normally ineffective control circuit operative to supply operating power to said operating means when said control circuit is rendered effective; and means for rendering effective said control circuit operative in a predetermined manner in -response to the actuation of an actuating member for actuating said punch Ioperating means' and said card impelling means to perform their operating cycles in a predetermined sequence operating cycle of said punch selector means; said punch selector means and saidpunch operating means being sovdesigned and arranged as to'cause the elements actuated by them during y cycle.

15. Ina punching 'machine' for punching holes A. in a record card; a' predetermined number1oi' theiroperating cycles to be restored to the normal position during a part :of their operating actuating members, such as keys; apunch carrier having at least one row of elongatedpunches corresponding to the diierent actuating members movably held by said punch carrier in an alignedoperative position so as to permit disp acement 4of aselected punch from its operative aligned g position to anv inoperative displaced position; f punch selector operating means including a movable displacingelement operative in a predeterrendering effective said control circuitoperative m'ined manner in response to the actuation of a selected actuating member to eect during a pre'- determined operating cycle a. displacementv of the corresponding punch from its aligned operative position to its displaced inoperative position; a

in a record card; a predetermined number of'- actuating members, such as keys; a punch carv'rier havingat least one row of elongated punches lcorresponding 'to the differentactuating'members movablyheld by `said punch carrier in an aligned operative position so as`to permit displacement of a selected punch from its normal port means including a card carrier for' holding a card in oneof a plurality of predetermined diierent positions of alignment relatively to said punches; said punch carrier being part of punch operating means operative upon actuation to actuate during a predetermined operating cyclel ,card is punched.

card carrierA for holding a card in a predetermined aligned position relatively to said punches; u said. punch carrier being part of punch operating j means operative upon actuation to actuate during a predetermined operating cycle said punch carrier and said card carrier to move relatively to eachother for punching with the punches held in the operative. position opening portions ina predeterminedly aligned position of a card held. by said card carrier; at least one of said operating means being associated vwith power means including a. normally open coupling connectionV operative to supply operating power to said operating means when said coupling connection Ais established; and means for establishing said coupling connection operative in a predetermined A mannerin responseV tothe actuation of an actuating member for actuating said punch operating means to perform its operating cycle in a predetermined sequence correlated to the operating cycle of saldpunch selector means so that the punch selector operation is completed before the 16. In a punching machine forpunching holes in a record card; a predetermined number of actuating members, such as keys; a punch carrier having at least `one row of elongated punches corresponding to the vdiierent actuating dmembers movably held bysaid punch carrier in an aligned operative position so as to permitl displacement ot a' selected punch from its normal operative aligned position to an inoperative displaced position; punch selector operating means including a movable displacing element operative in a predetermined manner in response to the i actuation of a selected actuating member to effeet during a predetermined operating cycle a displacement of thecorresponding punch from its normal aligned operative position to its displaced inoperative position; a card carrier for holding a card in a predetermined'aligned position relatively to said punches; said punch carrier being part oi punch operating means opere ative upon actuation to 'actuate during a predetermined operating cycle said punch'- carrier and said card carrier to move relatively to each other from a normal position to a punching position for punching with the punches held in the' operative position opening portions in a predeterminedly aligned position of a card held by said card carrier; atleast one of said operating means being associated with power means including a normally open coupling connection operative to.

supply operating power to said operating means when said coupling connection is established;

and means for establishing said coupling connec-` tion operative in a predetermined manner in re` sponse to the actuation of an actuating member- .punch operating means being so designed` and arranged as to cause the elements actuated by them during their operating cycles to be restoredto the normal position during a part of their operating cycle.

17. In a punching machine vfor punching holes in arecord card; a, predetermined number of actuating members, such as keys; a punch carrier having at least one row of elongated punches corresponding to the diierent actuating mem-l bers movably held by said punch carrier in an aligned operative position so as to permit -displacement of a selected punch from its operative aligned position to an inoperative splaced position; punch selector operating m ans including a movable displacing element operative in a predetermined'manner in response kto the actuation of a selected actuating member to eilect -during a predetermined operating cycle a displacement of the corresponding punch from its aligned operative position to its displaced inoperative position; card support means including a card carrier for holding a card in one of a plurality of predetermined different positions of alignment relatively to said punches; said punch carrier being part of punch operating means operative upon actuation to actuate during a predetermined operating cycle said punch carv rier and said card carrier to move relatively to each other for punching with the punches held in the operative position opening portions in a predeterminedly aligned position of a card held by said card carrier; said card carrier'being part of a card impelling means operative upon actuation to produce during a predetermined operating cycle a predetermined relative motion between'said punch carrier and said card carrier in a, direction transverse to said punch row so as to bring them from one position of alignment to 'another predetermined position of alignment; at least one of said operating means being associated with power means including a normally open coupling connection operative to l supply operating power to said operating means.

when said coupling connection is established; and means for establishing said coupling connection.

operative in a predetermined manner in response to the actuation of an actuating member for actuating said punch operating means land lsaid card impelling means to perform their operating cycles in a predetermined sequence correlated in a predetermined manner to the operating cycle of' said punch selector means.

13. In a punching machine for punching holes in a record card; a predetermined number of actuating members, such as keys; a punch car- .rier having. at least one row of elongated punch'.

corresponding to the diierent actuating members movably held by said punch carrier in an aligned operative position so as to permit displacement of a selected punch from its operative aligned positionto an inoperative displaced position; punch'selectoroperating me'ans including a mov.- able displacing element operative in a predetermined manner in response to the actuation of a selected actuating member to eiect during a predetermined operating cycle aA displacement of' the corresponding punch from its aligned operative position -to its displaced inoperative position; card support means including a card carrier for holding a card in one of a plurality of predetermined diierent posi-tions of alignment relatively to'said punches; said punch carriery being part 4 of punch operating means operative upon actuation to actuate during a predetermined operating cycle said punch carrier and said card carrier to move relatively to eachother for 'punching with the punches held-in the operative posi-tion open- 40 ing portions in a predeterminedly aligned position of a card held by said card carrier; said card carrier being partfof card impelling means i operative upon actuation' to produce during a predetermined opera-ting cycle a predetermined 4,; relative motion between said punch carrier and said card carrier in a direction transverse vto said punch row so as to bring them from one position of alignment to another predetermined position of alignment; at least one of said operating 5o means being ,associated with power means including a normally open coupling connection operative to supply operating power to said operating means when said coupling connection is established; and means for establishing said coupling connection operative in a' predetermined manner in response -to the actuation of an actuating vmember for actuating said punch operating means and said card impelling means to perform their operating cycles in a predetermined sequence correlated to -the operating cycle of said punch selector means so that the punch selector and card impelling operations are completed before the card is punched.

19. In a punching machine for punching holes in a record card; ya predetermined number ofA actuating members, such as keys; a punch carrier having at least one row of elongated punches corresponding to the diierent actuating members movably held by said punch carrier in an aligned operative position so as to permit dis 

